Tag Archives: wall balls

CrossFit Day 54 & 55

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I’ll be honest, this far into CrossFit, it shouldn’t seem so hard EVERY DAMN TIME.  But it is hard.   I’m not sure if that is good or bad.  I want to be stronger but just don’t feel as if I am getting where I want to go.  Maybe because I only go twice a week?  Maybe because I’m in the middle of a pretty fast training cycle as I am trying to get these legs to start turning over QUICKLY again?  Maybe because I’m overeating and have gained weight?  Maybe because I’ll be 40 in a little over a month?  Obviously, I’m not sure what the missing part of the equation is, for me, but I’m pretty sure I can put the blame on the crap that I’m stuffing in my mouth my food intake.  I eat well 90% of the time.  But apparently that 10% WEIGHS me down.  I need to get it together!!  I need to be more disciplined.

What You Want Now vs What You Want Most

So I’m taking a break to go fill my water bottle and peel my banana ………

Now onto the WODs from last week.  I’m still going.  I’m still trying.  And when I get tried, I tell myself that I need to keep pushing because that’s what will make me stronger.

CrossFit Day 54 – Push Press 5×3 (73#s) & Tabatas

Tabatas – As you probably know by now, this is the 8 sets of each movement with 20 seconds on and then 10 seconds off (rest) between sets.

  • Ring Dips – Super hard.  My spaghetti arms aren’t showing much improvement, plus I’m not coordinated enough for the ring dips.  I’m very shaky and even with the assistance of the band, this is a difficult move for me.
  • Ball Slams – 20# ball.  We’ve recently moved up in weight in all our “balls”, and even the kettle bells.  I know this is a positive thing but it makes everything SO tough.
  • Sit-ups – Actually something I can do.  Yay me!
  • Wall Balls – 14# ball
  • Rowing

CrossFit Day 55  – Front Squats 5×3 – (73#s)

Partners – Each person does half of the prescribed WOD (workout of the day).  Items can be divided in any way you choose (sometimes we just do half each, sometimes we have to break it down more.  EX – burpees we did 10 each x2, then 5 each).  Timed workout, so please bust it so your partner isn’t waiting on you for too long!

  • 50 Burpees
  • 100 Sit-ups
  • 50 Box Jumps – Super tall box this time!!  I  normally use the 18” and this was maybe 24”, I could definitely tell and had to be careful to make it up and not misstep.
  • 100 Kettlebell Swings – 35#
  • 50 Wall Balls – 14#
  • 100 Ball Slams – 20#

Last week was a tough week.  I was tired.  But I still went.  If I go into every workout “fresh” and ready to rumble then I’m not pushing myself or improving.  While it’s important to know my body and know when I NEED to rest, it’s just as important to realize when I get to the mid to 3/4s point of a tough training cycle, everything will be tired.  And this is the most integral point of the cycle when I need to keep pushing so that I can make the most progress.  I “get it” but that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel like crying sometimes tired.

The Moment You Want To Quit

** Keep Pushing, the Results Will Be Worth the Effort ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

P.S. – The giveaway for the FREE Entry to the Corn Fed Spartan Crucible obstacle course, mud run is still going on!  Enter HERE.

CrossFit Day 46 & 47 ….

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Yesterday finished out my year at CrossFit.  I’m sad to say that between the holidays and my need to “rest” a little bit before the Huff 50K on December 28th, that I’m done for 2013. 

It was a good finish to the year with two solid workouts.

Day 46 – Back Squats 7×3 – 73# total – I’m getting more flexible!!!!

back squats 1

  back squats 32 

 back squats 3

Tabatas – 8 rounds, 20 seconds on, 10 seconds res.t

  • Over the box jumps – think box jump but instead of going down the same way you came up, you go off the other side, turn around and repeat.  Takes a bit of coordination.
  • Ring Rows
  • Kettlebell Swings – 26#s
  • Wall Balls – I think we moved up to 12#s this time.  Whoa.
  • Ball Slams – I think we moved up to the 20# ball.  Really heavy.  Not a lot of “bounce” happening in my area. 

Day 47 – 4 Rounds:  10 Pull-ups & 10 Burpees.  I must have been having a good day cuz J tried to take one of my support bands away.  Didn’t work.  So we added one of lesser resistance back into the equation.  I’m getting stronger but still need a lot of help.

For Time:  200 lunges with 7 push-ups, on the minute, every minute until completion.  Took me almost 7 minutes.  LOL!

50 Sit-ups & 50 Superman’s to finish things out. 

Good bye, CrossFit.  I’ll see YOU in the New Year!

** 47 CrossFit Sessions in 2013 – Started 3rd week of June ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

CrossFit Day 41, 42 & 43

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Tripling up on the CrossFit workout report since last week was a short week and I’m so slammed between work and life.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving we had a fabulous workout.  Apparently “someone” thought we should hit it hard “in case” we overindulged during the holiday. 

Day 41 – Strict Press 7×3 (10 #s on each side w/ a 33# bar = 53# press)

Simple move, press from shoulders straight up in the air til arms are extended.  Might be tough if you have weak spaghetti arms like me cuz there is  no “hop” or leg help.  Yikes, this is all arms, baby.  All arms.  Cool diagram below from sliveryearsfitness.com.

strict press_silveryearsfitness

Step down:  10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

  • Wall Balls – 10#
  • Hand Release Push-ups
  • Ab Baskets – 10# ball
  • 110 single jump ropes

Not sure on the official name of this workout but I call it step downs for lack of a better word.  First round, do 10 reps of each and end with 110 single jump ropes.  Second round, do 9 reps of everything and then end with 110 single jump ropes.  And so on, and so forth ….  FUN but I was dying on the last couple rounds with the 110 single jump ropes!

Day 42  – Tuesday – Karen WOD – OMGosh “Karen” you are a real bitch tough chick.  150 Wall Balls for time.  10# ball for me.  We did increments of 15 so that helped but by round 3, I was wondering if I would survive.  I did survive.  I mean, HELL YEAH, of course I survived and I loved it!!  It took me 8 minutes and 18 seconds though and then I proceeded to go lay on the floor and cry.  Here is my girl, Michelle CRUSHING her workout!!

image

We got to follow that up with 7×5 Front Squats (10#s on each side & a 33# bar) just to make sure our quads and hammies were totally trashed when we left.  Mine were for sure.

Day 43 – Today – Still sore from WOD Karen.  25 Pull-ups – 2 bands assisted me and it was still hard today.  Stupid spaghetti arms.

Tabatas – 8 consecutive rounds at each rotation before moving onto the next.  20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest.  Repeat x8.

  • Rowing
  • Hand Release Push-ups
  • Kettlebell Swings – 26# – Wow, that kettlebell was HEAVY today!
  • Sit-ups
  • Rope Slams – SO.MUCH.FUN.  We did single rope slams, see first photo from phillymag.com, but the more recognizable version is the double rope slam as pictured by muscleropes.com. 

ropeslams_phillmag  ropeslams_muscleropes

Great group of workouts!  Thanks, CrossFit New Lenox for continuing to push me!

** Stronger Me = Faster Me ** Amanda – TooTallFritz.com **

CrossFit Day 33 & 34

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Great week at CrossFit!  It amazes me that even though I keep going, there are still new things to learn.  Exciting workouts to try.  And it always amazes me that I can walk away from a “workout” after 22 minutes of going hard and feel sore for days.  22 minutes.  Some workouts are even shorter!   Super cool in my opinion.

CrossFit Day 33

  • 15 Wall Climbs – Whoever created these bitches backwards, inverted wall climbs was one sick puppy.  I mean really, who just stares a wall and thinks this stuff up?  And yeah, you feel all cool and strong until about the 3rd one then it’s like, please shoot me so that I don’t have to do anymore!!!! 

    CrossFit_wall climbs_CrossFitFire       Wall-Climbs_to the wall

Tabatas – 20 seconds “on” for the movement, 10 seconds rest = 1 set.  Repeat x8, then rotate to the next station.

  • Box Jumps – 18” box
  • Push-Ups
  • Kettlebell Swings – 35#
  • Wall balls – 10#
  • Ab Baskets – 10# ball – By the time I got here, it was hard to even hold the ball up on my legs.  Or maybe it was hard to hold my legs up to balance the ball?  I don’t even know, I was totally dazed & confused from exhaustion.  Smile

 

CrossFit Day 34 – I’m going to name this WOD “Pure Torture”

7 Rounds

  • 10 Burpees WITH a plate jump – Cuz burpees just aren’t hard enough but now we have to try to jump on a plate after each one without breaking an ankle or collapsing.  #WTF  Try not to focus too much on my crappy form but here are a few photos below.  First a nice demo from the chick in red.  Except we didn’t jump “up” but forward onto a 45# plate.  Fun.burpee-1

Burpee w plate jump     Burpee w plate jump 2

  • 10 Overhead plate (10#) lunges

Lunges w 10lb plate

  • 10 Situps
  • 10 Box Jumps (18” box)
  • 1 minute rest, then repeat x7

That took 22 minutes and although it was 40 degrees out, I had to ask for the fan to be turned on so that I didn’t pass out. 

** I WILL GET STRONGER ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 31 & 32 and the Barbells For Boobs Fundraiser

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Since the marathon, I’ve been CrossFitting a couple times a week, and doing some light running and working the J.O.B. a lot.  I’m trying to be smart and let my leg muscles heal without going down to zero activity because that’s not good for my mental health.  Last week, I actually did 3 CrossFit Workouts.  There was a bonus WOD fundraiser on Saturday and I was actually in town, not racing, and free so I wanted to go and help out as much possible because my schedule is pretty wicked and I normally miss a lot of the fun stuff!

Before we get to last week’s WODs,  I’d like to say, I realize that not everyone is interested in CrossFit.  I realize that there have been some comments that I should move onto a new activity and give CrossFit a rest.  I realize that a lot of people are still intimidated by CrossFit even though it can be scaled and tailored to each individual’s fitness level.  However, CrossFit is helping me not only get stronger but equalize the muscle imbalances in my body that have been causing me pain and injury.  For this reason, I will be CrossFitting for as long as I personally see a benefit AND as long as I enjoy it.  It may not be for everyone but it’s been very beneficial for me personally.  I encourage each and every one of you to keep searching for an activity that you enjoy and are able to benefit from both physically and emotionally.  Fitness is a journey and the path is different for each of us.  Find your path!!

No Elevator to Success

CrossFit Day 31 – 3 Rounds, 1 minute rest between rounds.  1 minute at each station, then rotate.

  • Wall Balls
  • Ring Rows
  • Box Step Ups (or Jumps) – 18” box
  • Push Ups
  • Supermans

CrossFit Day 32 – Teams of 3, divide each exercise equally (if possible) between teammates.

  • Deadlifts – Worked form, added weights multiple times before starting WOD
  • 60 Pushups
  • 60 Kettlebell Swings (35#)
  • 180 Jump Ropes
  • 60 Abmat Sit-ups
  • 60 Ring Rows

Ring Rows_me

Barbells For Boobs Fundraiser for Breast Cancer– Clean Nancy – 5 Rounds:  400 meter run, 15 front squats (bar only for me).

Initially I didn’t think I’d go to the fundraiser because I was intimidated and didn’t want to embarrass myself with the “real” CrossFitters but the workout they used for the fundraiser was in my opinion a “runners” workout so I thought I could probably hold my own, even if I wasn’t squatting the weight that most were using.  So I went.  Great turnout!!  55 people did the actual WOD and as of Saturday, they raised $3700+ at the event and donations are still being accepted HERE.  Photo credit:  CrossFit New Lenox.

Barbells4Boobs_group

The first group takes off for the first 400 meter run of the Clean Nancy WOD.  I’m in the pink top and pink compression socks on the far right of the photo.  Photo credit:   Integrated Physical Medicine.

Barbells4Boobs_run

We ran 200 meters out & back, then hit the squats.  I must say that I was surprised at how fast the “real” CrossFitters took off for that first 400 meters.  I wasn’t exactly in easy mode but it was cold, I’d already ran a fast 4 miles with Aby and the wind was blowing hard.  I may have been a bit too conservative initially and I was definitely thinking that I had probably made a mistake by showing up to do the WOD.  Maybe I should have just donated and stayed home?  Too late now!  On to the squats, I’m on the way up (pink shirt & pink socks) and Jeni H is on the down (in the black skirt with pink ruffles).  Photo credit:   Integrated Physical Medicine.

Barbells4Boobs_squats

Then things started thinning out fast on the run.  My unweighted bar gave me a huge advantage over those who were squatting with weights.  I believe the front squat weight options were 115 & 75 lbs for the RX or 85 & 45 lbs for the scaled.  I was using the 45# bar without any additional weights in the scaled division.  So it wasn’t too bad on my legs like it was for everyone else.  And yeah, I’m  a runner so 5 x 400 meters was fun for me while it looked like hell for everyone else.  It was a good day to be a light lifter and a runner!  I was also happy because the last time I did this workout, it was in the dark at a 5am class.   That day the  WOD took me almost 15 minutes, I think I was 14:44 actually.  However, on Saturday, just a few weeks later with some added daylight, I finished in 11 minutes & change.  Maybe 11:36, if I remember correctly.  So I was happy the daylight made such a huge difference, or maybe it was the extra people?  Regardless, fun day and ultimately I was happy that I had the guts to show up and play with the big dogs, even if it was just for fun.  Smile

** Be Strong, Mentally & Physically ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 29 & 30

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Another chill week at CrossFit since most of us at the 5am class are recovering from the Chicago Marathon.  I personally had a very chill week too.  I ate for recovery and fun.  Then I ate some more.  Then did a billion loads of laundry.  Then I probably ate some more.  It takes a bit for my the body to bounce back after using that many calories in one stint, so I just try to go with it until I feel somewhat “normal”. 

I did CrossFit on TUE/THUR, rode my bike on the trainer for 11 miles last night, then ran 6 miles this morning.  So I’m getting back into the swing of things but I’m certainly not in a rush.  Next week, I’ll start some faster speed work though to shock the body prepare for a few local 5Ks where I’d like to show up and actually run fast.  It’s been a long time since I’ve tried to run fast, like 5K fast, and I’m both terrified and excited.

CrossFit – Day 29 – How to baby the marathoners and get them to show up for a CF workout 2 days post race.  Arms ONLY WOD!!!

  • 10 Wall Climbs
  • 10 Reverse Rope Climbs
  • Death by Pushups

That’s all folks.  I only made 12 rounds of Death by Pushups.  I wanted to get to 15 but only made 10 into the 13th set.  Seems pathetic but I tried, so it is what it is, right?   As a refresher, death by anything uses the clock, in one minute intervals.   One minute per round, go as many rounds as possible.  First round started with 1 push-up.  Do the 1, then rest til the minute ends.  Then 2 push-ups in the next minute.  Then 3, etc. until you can’t go any longer.   In all, I did 88 pushups. 

CrossFit – Day 30 – Trying to get the marathoners back on the CF wagon!

  • Front Squats – 7×3 – We did more than 7 rounds of 3.  We started with the bar only.  I think we probably were using the 31# bar instead of the 45# one but I really have no idea.  I just lift what I’m told.  After a few rounds which focused on loosening up our tight runner hamstrings form, we started adding weights, 10#s at a time (5# to each side).  I think we made it up to 20#s on each side, squatting that 3x before it was time to move on. 
  • 5 minute ladder – Wall Balls & Step Ups.  A ladder starts at 1 and then each round 1 rep is added.  First round, 1 wall ball, 1 step up on the 18” box.   Second round, 2 wall balls, 2 step ups.  I made it thru 10 full rounds and was working on my 11th with the wall balls when the 5 minutes was up.  Hard.   Continuous movement.  Fun.
  • 100 abmat sit-ups.  OUCH.

Source

Previous post on Marathon Recovery HERE.

** Still Recovering ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 25 …. Filthy Fifty

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Yes, the damn awesome Filthy Fifty showed up on the white board again.  To be honest, I didn’t even look at all the exercises on the list, just helped get the equipment out and started with the buzzer. 

Filthy Fifty

  • 50 Box Jumps – 12” Box
  • 50 Jumping Pull-ups
  • 50 Kettelbell Swings – 35/26 – 35# for me
  • 50 Walking Lunges
  • 50 Knees to Elbows/Chest
  • 50 Push Press 45/33
  • 50 Supermans
  • 50 Wall Balls – 10#
  • 50 Burpees
  • 50 DU/100 Single Ropes

This workout was hard for me.  I’m not very strong in my upper body the weight bar shows up for anything, I groan internally.  I know I’m there because I WANT and NEED to be stronger but it still sucks isn’t fun.

The box jumps & jumping pull-ups were good.  The kettlebell swings were a hard push for 50 with the 35# bell. 

kettlebell-swings  kettlebell swing_vertical_South Coast Crossfit

Walking lunges & knees to chest were okay but my hands take a beating on the hanging “knees to chest”.  Plus, if I’m honest, I’m really a knees to hip type girl too.  The photo below shows me and my run friends on the “knees to chest” move.  I’m in the green socks.  The photos is a bit blurry cuz we are so amazing.  And fast.  And amazing.  And did I mention fast?

CrossFit_knees 2 chest

Push presses are definitely one of my weakness.  I did 10 with the 45# bar and then Julie M (pink top above) rescued me and traded me for the 33# bar.  SO.MUCH.BETTER but still super hard.  Here is a group of my run friends and I “push pressing” on a different day (I’m in the pink socks).

CrossFit NL_push press

Supermans & wall balls done, even with my wobbly arms from the push presses. Then I got to the stupid  burpees.  OUCH!  I was just out of steam.  So tired.  No energy.  I may have even leaked a tear or two.  Yes, I still “hate” burpees.  And I agree with the lady below, I think this would curb my PSL craving IMMEDIATELY!!

burpees equivalent PSL

I finished strong with 100 single rope jumps.  34 minutes & 45 seconds.  Done. Done.  DONE!!!

Amanda – TooTallFritz

CrossFit Day 22, 23 & 24

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This will cover three different Crossfit sessions but since most of the moves are pretty standard at this point, this will be quick and painless at least to read.

image

Day 22 

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

  • Ball Slams (10#)
  • Pistols

CrossFit_Pistols_Train with Heidi

  • Ring Rows
  • Weighted Sit-Ups
  • Push Press (Bar Only – 45#)

This sequence was a bit different than any other that we have done previously.     Remember, my class (5am TUE/THUR) is for lightweights with the run club and we are more focused on increasing strength to look good for endurance so it’s a little different than the average CrossFit class. 

The number sequence added a twist.  The workout was completed in list order BUT each round the number of reps changed.  First round, we did each item on the list 1x, second round 2x, third round 3x, etc. up to 10 reps for each move for the last round.

This workout taught me is that we can’t count.  I know I can’t count and apparently my box-mates aren’t great at it either.  We rely on SOMEONE to know where they are and that totally backfired on us this time.  I ended up doing round #8 twice and I added some reps on the other rounds too.  My brain wasn’t working!

Day 23

  • 25 Pull-Ups
  • 15 Wall Climbs/HSPU – Hand Stand Push-ups ( I did HSPUs x 30)
  • 5 Recline Rope Climbs (I did 15)

Reverse Rope Climb_Me  Reverse Rope Climb_Me2  Reverse Rope Climb_Me3

This was more of a strength workout and I really enjoyed it.  I’m not great at pull-ups, even with the bands but managed to knock them out.  Then I opted for the HSPUs instead of the Wall Climbs cuz they are cool my elbow has been sore and I thought it would be less stressful. 

Handstand Pushup

We finished up with Death By Push-Ups.  Awesome.  Okay, not really.  They aren’t fun.  I made it thru 12 rounds (78 push-ups in all).  Death by anything uses the clock, in one minute intervals.   One minute per round, go as many rounds as possible.  First round started with 1 push-up.  Do the 1, then rest til the minute ends.  Then 2 push-ups in the next minute.  Then 3, etc. until you can’t go any longer.  OUCH!

Day 24

3 Rounds – 1 minute each station

  • Wall Balls (10#)
  • Ball Slams (10#)
  • Box Jumps (18” box – I did step-ups)
  • Burpees
  • Rowing

Good workout but I was low on energy today.  We stayed at each station and did as many reps as possible in one minute then moved to the next station.  After we completed one round of all the stations, one minute rest.  Repeat x3. 

** I Still Hate Burpees ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Birthday WOD …… CrossFit Day 20

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We learned the hard way this morning at CrossFit that if it’s your birthday, or someone else’s, shut up about it OR lie about your age. 

21 again

If you’ve just started following, I’m a newbie CrossFitter.  I go to CrossFit 2x a week at 5am with my gal pals from the run club.  Although what we “do” does not have a special designation, I’d like to think we are more on the CrossFit endurance path than the hardcore CrossFitters like Jared these ladies:

CrossFit_women

You will never catch us at CrossFit in our undies, in fact most of us don’t wear undies cuz well, we are runners.  And we look way more like this guy below than the awesome women above.  Source:  StudentLive

weight lifter_studentlive

So today it was Michelle’s birthday.  Happy Fucking Birthday, Michelle!!  She was 38 so our workout surrounded her age.  Yay!  Sounds like fun, right? 

Michelle’s #38 Birthday WOD

  • 38 Box Jumps (18’” Box) – I did 19 jumps & 19 step-ups so that I didn’t die
  • 38 Ring Rows
  • 38 Kettlebell Swings (36# I think)
  • 38 Walking Lunges
  • 38 Hanging Knee Raises (Knees to Chest or Knees to waist in my world)
  • 38 Push Presses – Bar only (45# I think)
  • 38 Supermans
  • 38 Wall Balls (10#)
  • 38 Burpees
  • 400 meter Run

This was a rough one for me and my weak arms.  I almost didn’t make it.  But I did so I’m happy on that front.  And no, I’m not really mad at Michelle I’m actually mad at Aunt Julie because she’s the one who brought up the birthday.  A WOD is a WOD in my book.  I’m always glad that I went, even when it’s hard.  So whether is YOUR birthday or not, I’ll still be there.  

** Trying my damdest To Get Stronger ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Who’s Dirty? CrossFit Day 17– Eric K Memorial WOD

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I’ve suddenly taken an affinity to black workout clothing, tops in particular.  If one thing is for certain, I’m going to come home from CrossFit looking like I just rolled thru the dirt.  If getting dirty is any indication of my level of effort then I’m definitely going to win something.

CrossFit_dirty   CrossFit_dirty2

As a side note for new CrossFitters – Besides black clothing, I also make sure my tops are form fitted so they stay in place while I’m standing on my head or doing whatever activity is on the board for the day. 

The 17th day of CrossFit brought us the  Eric K Memorial WOD.

First, let me apologize because I misspoke earlier when I said the run club (and I) finally RX’d a workout.  That’s a lie.  We modified two things.  First we subbed in kettlebell deadlifts for the real deal and second we used bands for our pull-ups.  As you may, or may not know, runners are not known for their arm strength.  So we suck at pull-ups, or at least I do, everyone else is amazing. 

 Eric K Memorial WOD

4 Rounds

  • 8 Deadlifts – 225/135 – Or if you’re in my crew, kettlebell deadlifts #35
  • 29 Push-Ups
  • 20 Wall Balls – 20/14 – I think I used a 10# ball though
  • 12 Pull-ups – I used 2 bands

We then paired with a partner and my dumbass I panicked cuz I didn’t see the “4 rounds” part of the workout.   I thought we had one round (not normal at all but I had like 2 hours of sleep and was apparently delusional) and then we would have to split each of these moves with a partner.  Since I’m not one to get out of bed for an easy workout,  I suggested that we would do the workout x2.   Yep, I did that.  And everyone agreed.  So basically we did the above WOD like we didn’t have a partner.  Instead of 8 deadlifts per round split by 2 people, we each did the full 8 deadlifts.  Then 29 push-ups, then 20 wall balls, then 12 pull-ups.  Repeat x4.  It took exactly 2 rounds for us to be dead on our ass.  Yep, don’t CrossFit with me, I’ll just make you work harder.  LOL!

So now I can’t lift my arms.  Anyone want to swim for me during my upcoming half iron distance TRI on SAT? 

** Dirty & Delusional From CrossFit ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **